July 12th - July 18th ~ Little Vacation

Well, our family at the last minute decided we would take us a little vacation. I didn't have much time to plan our route so we flew by the seat of our pants headed to the Redwoods and Oregon Coast.

Sunday, July 12th - We left Sunday evening after Hank got off work and headed to Boise. We spent the night at Marlea's so we could get an early start the next morning.

Monday, July 13th - We were up early and headed for Oregon. What a long and windy road, not too much different than Idaho on the east side of the state. Windy roads and sage brush. It was nice to have another driver on our trip, Cameron drove quite a bit which I really appreciated. :) We went thru Ontario onto Burns up to Bend. We took the road up to Crater Lake which is absolutely GORGEOUS!! The lake was so incredibly blue. We had a picnic at one of the sites up by the lake where Kambrie made friends with a deer she named Julie. She kept trying to get close enough to pet her, but never quite accomplished the task. After lunch we reloaded the truck and headed to Grants Pass then down to Cave Junction. We spent our first night camping at the Greyback Campground, just below the Oregon Caves. Our camp site was very nice it had a creek running right behind it and the kids loved playing in it.

Tuesday, July 14th - We were up bright and early to pack up our gear and head up to the Oregon Caves. The caves were a lot of fun we had a guided tour which took us about an hour and a half. Our guide had a good sense of humor and was well informed. At one point in the cave he asked if we had any singers in our group. Of course Hank volunteered Cameron. Cameron was not so thrilled about the experience. LOL!! We went into one section of the cave where there was a large room that echoed. Cameron cleared out his throat and sung the Star Spangled Banner there inside the cave. I must say I was impressed, he did a good job. He was cool to hear his voice echo throughout the cave. He had several compliments from other members in our tour group. After tour we were off to California. The drive down to Crescent City was beautiful. Once we hit Crescent City we had to find a beach access so Kambrie would stop driving me nuts about getting to the ocean. We found an access and played around on the rocks for a while. The kids found many starfish and sea anemones. After we were done playing on the beach for a little while we loaded back up to head down to Klamath to ride the sky tram through the Redwoods. I loved going through all of the trees but did get a little claustrophobic every now and then. I like to see out in front of my a little ways. After checking out the Redwoods in Klamath we drove down to Trinidad, California where we would stay for a few nights. When we reached Trinidad we found our quaint little room we had rented and went down to the pier to see where we would need to meet our fishing boat the next morning. I liked Trinidad's small town feel. The population there is only about 600 and a lot like Declo, one road you can't get lost. LOL!

Wednesday, July 15th - Once again we were up bright and early so we could meet our boat for our scheduled fishing trip. Our boat was not very big and not quite what I had expected but the guide was very personable and did everything he could to make sure everyone had a good time. Including me when I got sea sick, he turned around and brought me back in. I tried and tried to stick it out but the swells of the ocean were not working with me. I went back to my room where I everything kept moving on me all afternoon, I finally fell asleep. Hank, Cameron, and Kambrie had fun fishing they caught 15 rockfish and brought in 20 crab. Hank caught the biggest rockfish which was 6 lbs, they said that is as big as they get. Kambrie out fished them all by catching 9 of the 15. Cameron and Hank had tried catching some lingcod but were not successful. Kambrie liked watching the sea lions out while they were fishing. For the short bit I was out there we had a few approach our boat, apparently they are over populated and are always looking for food. That evening when they returned from fishing we cooked our rockfish and crab for dinner. Dinner was good and we were full and tired. After a while I finally started to feel better and drove down to McKinleyville to do a little laundry. Thursday, July 16th - Today we are going to check out more Redwoods. We drove south clear down to the Avenue of the Giants, then through the Shrine tree which had Hank REALLY stressed. Then we turned around and went back north because I didn't get to see all of the sights I had wanted to see on the way down. We checked out the Lady Bird Johnson Grove which I thought was beautiful. We checked out Fern Canyon that was way cool, I would have liked more time to spend walking through there, we played on a few beaches in between and ended up back just outside of Crescent City. We stayed at the Florence Keller State Campground, it was a nice campground nestled inside a bunch of giant redwoods. After we set up camp we went into Crescent City where we ate at a place that looked out over the harbor and the ocean. It was nice but the weather being the way it was there was a lot of cloud cover and hard to see way out into the ocean.

Friday, July 17th - Today we went to the beach and played on the rocks, I went up and checked out the Battery Point Lighthouse. Hank and the kids stayed to play in the rocks looking for starfish, sea anemones, crabs and whatever else they could find. After the lighthouse we went down to an aquarium where you could pet a shark. It was kind of expensive considering what you got out of it. Oh, well the kids can say I was able to pet a tiger shark. LOL! After the aquarium we drove north up the Oregon Coast Highway. I liked the drive, other than it was a pretty cloudy most of the time. We stopped at a couple beaches to check them out and stopped to see where the Rogue River meets the Pacific Ocean. Cameron was bummed he didn't have a fishing pole. There were a ton of boats just trolling around. We drove north until we came to Cape Blanco State Park. I loved this campground! It had beach access, flushable potties, and a shower. YAY!! We were lucky we grabbed a spot when we did because they were filling up fast. We had fun playing down on the beach for a little while even though it was cold. We grilled hamburgers for dinner then sat around the campfire. We played 20 questions while we were sitting around the fire. Cameron and I kept hearing something in the bushes, but did not know what it was. It wasn't too long before we found out. I looked over between Cameron and Hank by the tree and say something black with a nice white stripe down it. Yes, we had a skunk in our campground. YIKES! We had decided to walk down to the bathroom before bed and Hank was in the back, I was in front of him, Kambrie was in front of me and Cameron was in the lead. Well, Hank thought he would be funny. He grabbed me and started pushing me telling me it was behind him, so I start pushing on Kambrie, she runs into Cameron, and Cameron just about runs over the skunk because it is in front of him. We cleaned up everything it might try to get into and went to bed hoping it would go away, which it did.

Saturday, July 18th - This morning we broke camp and headed back to Idaho. What a long drive home. The west side of Oregon has a lot of beautiful scenery, the east side of the state is BLAH! I was happy to arrive safely back home in Declo. I really enjoyed our trip and getting away from home and seeing some new sights. However, next time I don't want to spend quite so much time driving. ;) But I do want to go back to the Oregon Coast one of these days, hopefully it will be warmer the next time I am there.

July 6th - July 11th

Well, another week has come and gone. UGH!

Monday, July 6th ~ Our little 4-H club had a meeting on Monday. Today we did our annual service project of picking up trash through the streets of Declo. We do this to help get ready for the Declo Days Celebration that is held the 2nd Saturday in July. After we were done we stopped at the Country Store where I always get the kids a treat for helping. However, this year Mr. Mayor was leaving the store as we were coming in. He could see what we were doing and offered to pick up the tab. So the kids grabbed a drink and headed home. After 4-H Kambrie and I went home to start packing for Girls Camp. I made a list of a few things she needed then Mindy and I went to town to grab a few things for her and Macy. Later that evening we went and weighed the kids sheep. They are all gaining really well and looking good.

Tuesday, July 7th ~ Today, we had to be at Gina's at 9 a.m. Kambrie is going to girls camp for the first time. I am so sad. It is going to be one long boring week with no one around. After, I dropped Kambrie off I picked up the house then went into work for a few hours. Later that evening Hank and I played Bullseye Washers. Cameron was busy at Whitt's trying to get their trash car cleaned up for the big parade.

Wednesday, July 8th ~ Nothing exciting going on here. Picked up the house, went to work, fixed dinner. Can't think of anything overly exciting that happened. I spent way too many hours on the computer trying to map out a plan for our trip.

Thursday, July 9th ~ I was supposed to have Finley today, but Kodi did not have to work. So I enjoyed a nice quiet day at home, doing the same thing dishes and laundry. Went down to Mindy's for a little while to visit. Had to see what McKade was doing. He is a busy boy. Cameron got off work early and ran off to work on the car some more.

Friday, July 10th ~ Waited for Kambrie to get home from girls camp. She yakked my ear off about girls camp and said she had a good time. I suppose it is safe to say she made it through SURVIVOR. That evening we went up to the Declo Celebration where they were giving wagon rides, had a program, and birthday cake. I had gone up planning on being a spectator but Kim fixed that in a hurry. All of the wagon's had not shown up to give rides so Kim and I busted it out to Denton's to get the Gator and a trailer. Dee come over and threw some straw bales on and away we went. After the wagon rides we went into the auditorium for a little program. We watched a video that Heather had put together that was quite comical. Then there were some more live performances on how Declo got its name. It was nice to see many people out, everyone then went into the cafeteria for cake and ice cream. Again I went in as a spectator and soon found myself helping Chris, Dan, and Byra Lou in the back kitchen putting cake and ice cream on plates. When I got home Hank had the truck ripped apart trying to figure out what was wrong. I went in the house and was kicking back for a bit. I decided to call VerLyn to see if they needed help with anything for the Anthon float. Yep, they did. Their original plan had fallen through now they were trying to put together another float. So I went over and help Kelly and Brett put something together, then Valerie and I took off to WalMart at 12:15 a.m. to get candy and wash Clyde's Jeep. I got home about 1:45 a.m. and crashed.

Saturday, July 11th ~ The big Declo Days Celebration. Kambrie got up and ran the little Hammer Scamper. She got 2nd place, next year she will have to run the bigger race the 5K. We ate breakfast then went home and got ready for the parade. I dropped her off to get on the Anthon float. Then went to help Kim get everyone in place for the parade. The parade was nice, not tooooo long, and not tooooo short. After the parade I ran to town to get parts for the truck before the dealership closed then took them over to Hank. I then went back to the Declo park to see what was going on. We hung out there for a while, didn't win anything as usual. :P Then Kambrie and I went to lunch with Valerie, Chauncey, Mindy and all of the kids. Chaunce says he is going to stop going with us. Toooo many women for him. LOL!! When we got back from Burley we went to float the canal. The kids had fun floating, swimming and dunking each other. I left Kambrie at the canal with Mindy for a bit and went home to start getting things ready to go for our trip. I had gone into WalMart to get groceries when Kim called and asked if I wanted to crash the class of 89's party. So I hurried with my groceries, got home then headed up to Albion. By the time we had gotten there most of them had left but did get to visit with a few of them. It was nice to see them and get caught up a little bit. We then realized Mindy's class was inside having a little reunion there as well so we popped in to say hello. We then headed back home, where as soon as I got home I turned around and headed over to Kelly's for the Anthon get together. Declo Days was fun and it was nice to see family and friends that you don't normally see everyday. Hank got the truck put back together so I guess we are good to go. Another busy week coming up.

July 1st - July 5th

Kambrie, Ashton, and Haylie

Cameron giving it a go and wake boarding

Kambrie trying to get the $$

Kyson getting some candy.

Kambrie Tumbling

Wednesday, July 1st was a busy day. It began with me taking Hank to work so he could pick up the truck at Gaylon's Autobody since it had been in for some repairs. I then went to Burley to pick up Kambrie from a dance camp she was attending. I studied a little bit for my test while waiting for her. We went home, then I headed off to Pocatello to take HOPEFULLY my last test. The test I think went pretty well but I will not know until August 5th, nothing like taking forever to let people know how they did. After I took my test I stopped at the Goodwill in Pocatello. I have really been on a bargain shopping spree lately. While in Goodwill I picked up Kambrie two Aeropostale T-shirts and a corduroy Abercrombie Jacket (tooooo cute). I also found Cameron an American Eagle shirt and an Abercrombie Polo. I love the Abercrombie shirt, he looked so good in it. On my way home from Pocatello, Ben called me from work to tell me if I had planned on coming in today not to bother since there had been a plane crash close by and it had knocked out the power. I hadn't planned on going in anyways. ;) When I got home I was wiped out so I took a little nap. Not much else happened......

Thursday, July 2nd ~ Kambrie and I got up and cleaned up the house some then I went into work to run payroll. After work I stopped at Mindy's and we took Kambrie and McKade to float the canal. Exciting times, JK. Mindy and I had a good chat then headed home since they were getting ready to head to the cabin.

Friday, July 3rd ~ Hank and I went and picked up some groceries since our cupboards were getting quite bare. I swear Cameron is going to eat me out of house and home. I don't know where he puts it all. While we were in town we swung into the D.I. since I had told Hank they had some good long sleeved work shirts like he uses in there. So we went in and come out with a couple bags full of shirts, work pants and shorts. He found him a pair of Lucky shorts that were actually long enough for him to wear. We came home and put groceries away. He then went to bed since he had to work that night. Kambrie and I went to Denton and Virgins later that evening to celebrate Chris's accomplishment of passing his CPA exam. Later that night Hank called and asked me to bring him a few things he needed to service the truck, so Kambrie and I went to Rupert. After we dropped the funnel and grease gun off to him we went to Walmart to pick up some flowers and clips so we could make those cute flowery hair pieces the girls have been wearing lately. I stayed up waaaaaaaaaayyyy to late making them.

Saturday, July 4th ~ Happy 4th!!!!!!! We started out the morning at the Albion Parade. We sat by Mom, Dad, Jake, Kyson, Bryce, Sarah, and their kids. Kyson had fun getting lots of candy. Kambrie was a part of the Top Flight Tumblers float and tumbled through the parade. After the parade we went to the park where Kambrie was determined to get the $100 at the top of the greased pole. This is the last year she could participate as their is an age limit of 12 years and under. Well, we waited and waited and waited. She never got there, Gunner beat her to it again this year. She did however, end up wit the 2nd $20.00 that was up there. We then headed to the river to play on the water. We had a good afternoon boating with Levi, Lisa, Tucker, Erin, Jason, Athena and all of the kids. Cameron tried his hand at wake boarding, he needs a little more practice and maybe a different board. We BBQ'd hamburgers and hotdogs. Cameron put away a cheeseburger and 4 hotdogs. After we ate we headed home to get a pair of dry clothes and a jacket so we could head up to the Albion fireworks. We watched the fireworks from the Marsh Creek Event center with Mom and Dad. Kambrie was not impressed with the display, she prefers the Burley show better. Oh, well guess maybe next year. ;)

Sunday, July 5th~ Today we went to church, nothing toooo exciting. However, I do admit I love standing in the chapel and listening to the congregation sing the National Anthem. It is just one of those things that gives me goose bumps. After church I went to town with Mom to get Grandpa Fred a birthday cake and card. She and Kambrie took it over to him and wished him a Happy Birthday. I was going to see if they wanted to come over for dinner but Grandma Joyce was going to have a medical procedure done the next day and was on a liquid diet. I was all excited to BBQ my dinner tonight until the rainstorm hit. It is not much fun BBQing in a downpour, but once you have started you can't stop it. Mom and Dad came over for dinner, we had Chipotle Lime Chicken, Teriyaki steak, green salad, grilled pineapple and jello salad. I really liked the chicken. About 10:00 I finally got Grandpa called to wish him a Happy Birthday myself, I had only called there 3 times to do it and forgotten each time. LOL!!

I do enjoy the Fourth of July holiday. It gives me time to think about the many things that I have to be thankful for. I am truly blessed to live in the greatest country in the world. I am thankful for the community I live in and the support they are to me and my family. I am ever more thankful for the freedoms which we all enjoy each and every day.

Where did JUNE go???????

Could someone please tell me where the month of June went? I have never had a summer fly by so quickly. It hasn't even felt like much of a summer since we have received so much rain. UGH!! So what have we done this month? UMMMMMM, not much really.

On June 6th we had our sheep weigh in, all went well there. HOORaY, as I was worried about Cameron's lambs tail being long enough. So far so good.

Kambrie has been babysitting her little cousin Finley on Tuesdays, she has so much fun tending her. I swear she tries on every outfit Kodi packs and does her hair 2 or 3 times a day. She is a good little baby for Kambrie to watch, every now and then we have Laney too. Laney is a good helper for Kambrie and loves to play Bratz.

Mom, Grandma, Valerie, Mindy and all of the kids decided they would enjoy an afternoon of getting ripped off at the Circus. Once you realize you are going to pay out the nose for everything in there you can relax and have a good time. LOL!!!! I met them over at the Circus after I had gotten off of work, I don't think I could have sat through all of it. The kids enjoyed riding the elephant, eating cotton candy, going down the slide, and watching the acts. Kyson thoroughly enjoyed his nachos, especially the cheese.

Cameron and Kambrie went on their Super Activity to Salt Lake City. They camped in Honeyville. I can't say that they slept from the sounds of it Kambrie did very little sleeping. LOL!! I guess the Beehives got very little sleep and zip tied tents closed. Little stinkers. They had fun visiting Temple Square, Shriners Hospital, and the Bishop's storehouse.

We celebrated Cameron's 17th birthday with a little backyard BBQ. I went to town to get groceries that morning. When I returned we received a lovely rainstorm, I was just getting ready to bake my cakes when we lost all of our power. It was out from around 1:00 pm until 7:30 pm, so I ended up going back to town to buy a cake. Good thing we were just frying burgers on the grill. The kids had a good time eating and visiting then took off to the teen dance.

Grandma Joyce also celebrated a birthday this month. I called to wish her a happy birthday as her and Grandpa were headed fishing at Salmon Dam. Grandma has always been lots of fun to do things with. We razz her every now and then, she is always a good sport. She has always been willing to help us and enjoys spending time with the kids. I hope I can be as fun loving as a grandma as she is. Love you Grandma, hope you had a happy birthday.

We celebrated Father's day at mom and dad's with a big pot of spaghetti and peach cobbler. I am very lucky to have a dad, a grandfather, and a husband that would do anything for you. They are all good role models for my children. I appreciate all that they do for us.

We have been busy with horse 4-H and spent a few evenings down at the arena. This year Hallie is taking horse 4-H with her horse Bullseye. Her and Kambrie have fun riding and working with their horses. Jake remembers Kambrie from last summer and usually meets her at the gate when we pull in to get him. It is fun to go down and watch everybody ride.

The kids and I had fun going to the D.I. and looking for bargains. Kambrie found 2 pair of Aeropostale pants, a Hollister shirt, and Nollie shirt at the D.I. Her yard sales finds 6 shirts all Aeropostale, Abercrombie, Hollister shirts. Cameron found 2 pair of Aeropostale pants, 1 pair of GAP pants, 1 pair of wrangler work pants, 2 American Eagle shirts, and 2 Old navy shirts. All were in excellent condition. I usually go in looking for work pants because I hate paying full price for work pants that are going to get ruined quickly. We were happy with our finds.

Finally to wrap up the month we took a little Sunday drive down to Cauldron Linn. It was really pretty. The water is so high and moving so quickly it created falls over the rocks that are normally dry and covered with sage brush. We had a nice little drive around Murtaugh Lake then headed on home.

That is about all that happened throughout the month of June other than I have been busy with housework, 4-H meetings and working a couple days a week doing books.